A Tribute to Mothers

by Jennifer Blackwood

So, it’s a couple days after Mother’s Day. Breakfast in bed has been consumed. Flowers have been delivered. Cards have been opened. Maybe a couple tears have been shed if that card had a cute little puppy dog on the front that says, “I ruff you lots, Mom.” And now life has resumed to its fast pace where all the mothers around the world go back to the hardest and most thankless job out there.

Now, as a mom of one, I’d like to think I have my act together at least thirty-two percent of the time. Maybe that’s being generous, but that’s what wine and my hidden stash of Oreos are for, right? I’d even go as far to say that we have a very loving household, one that says “I love you” on such a regular basis that my three-year-old now just replies, “Yep, I know.” I’m really just waiting until the eye-rolling phase comes. But there’s something that I’ve noticed over the past few years. One that didn’t bother me until I became a parent.

As an avid reader, I’ve noticed a trend in books, especially in YA and contemporary romance—moms can often be portrayed as bossy, malicious, ones that harp on their daughters, or even worse, the ones that never deem anyone suitable for their sons. While these sometimes play out in real life, I think that moms tend to get a bad rap.

I think a lot of women experience a roller coaster of emotions when it comes to their relationships with their mothers. Some days there’s no one you’d rather share special news with. And others, you’re screening their calls and pressing the reject button (I promise I’ve never done that to you, Mom *cough cough*). I could try to speculate why mother/daughter relationships are like this—maybe it’s biological? Maybe they’re too similar and personalities tend to clash? Whatever it is, I think the bond between mothers and daughters can be both the most special relationship out there and also the most trying.

Now, as I’ve said before, a lot of books portray moms in a negative light. When I was drafting The Rule Book, I knew from the start that the relationship between my heroine, Lainey, and her mother was going to be different than anything I’ve ever written. They are best friends. Lainey is paying for her mother’s cancer treatments, because she can’t bear to let her divorced mother chip away at her meager savings. I wanted write a book where there was a large focus on a positive mother/daughter relationship. One that I wish I’d had in my early twenties. One that shows that moms can be a big part of their kids’ life, even when they’re all grown up (although, looking back on it, twenty-four didn’t feel very grown-up at the time).

So this book is for you, moms of the world. You’re awesome and appreciated every day of the year, even when your kiddos don’t necessarily show it.

The Rule Book
by Jennifer BlackwoodRelease Date: 5/9/16

Starr Media Second-Assistant Survival Guide

Don’t call your hot boss the antichrist to his face.

Don’t stare at hot boss’s, um, package or his full sleeve of tattoos. (No. Really. Stop!)

Don’t get on the malicious first assistant’s bad side.

Don’t forget to memorize the 300-page employee manual.

If you value your cashmere, steer clear of boss’s dog.

Boss’s dimples are lust-inducing. Do. Not. Give. In.

“The elevator ate your clothes” is not a valid excuse for showing up to important meetings half dressed.

Don’t break seven of the rules within the first week of employment if you, ya know, are in dire need of money to support your sick mom.

Whatever you do, don’t fall for the boss. See rule eight about sick mom.

Never forget the rules.

“A hilarious, romantic romp that I seriously couldn’t put down. Prepare yourselves ladies: your ultimate book boyfriend has arrived.” ~Rachel Harris, New York Times bestselling author of You’re Still the One

“The Rule Book was a funny, sizzling romance with a The Devil Wears Prada feel. Only the “devil” was a hot CEO that I couldn’t stop lusting after.” ~Cindi Madsen, USA Today Bestselling author of Anatomy of a Player

“If you are looking for a feel-good, funny, sweet romance then I highly encourage you 1-click this book!” ~Steph and Chris’s Book Review

Jennifer Blackwood

Jennifer Blackwood is an English teacher and contemporary romance author. She lives in Oregon with her husband, son, and poorly behaved black lab puppy. When not chasing after her toddler, you can find her binging on episodes of Gilmore Girls and Supernatural, and locking herself in her office to write.
Author Website: http://jenniferblackwood.com;
Author Blog: https://jenniferblackwood.wordpress.com;
Author Twitter: @jen_blackwood;
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferBlackwood/;
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8532549.Jennifer_Blackwood;
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ZVfOX

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